China contributes to Mali’s peace

BAMAKO. — Mali’s former prime minister Moussa Mara said Chinese peacekeepers under the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) were more than bringing peace to the West African country.

“Chinese peacekeepers are not only a force of peace, they are also a force of development. They understand that maintaining peace not only means weaponry and sending soldiers, but also means improving the livelihoods of locals, winning their hearts,” Mara said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Saturday.

“China not only provides military and defence assistance to Mali, it extends help to the hearts of Malians,” Mara said.

In his eyes, China is good friend of Mali and a country that helps Mali the most.

His remarks came after the MINUSMA camp in Gao, northern Mali came under a terrorist attack on Tuesday, which killed a Chinese peacekeeper and injured five others. Mara said he deeply regretted the casualties suffered by the Chinese peacekeepers and offered his condolences to the Chinese contingent, wishing the injured speedy recovery. — Xinhua.